Sac State students are foundation of 'Dance House'

Sacramento State students take charge of the choreography for “Dance House,” the University’s second dance concert this fall. Performances are at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15; 8 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. Nov. 18 in Solano Hall Dancespace.

Directed by Theatre and Dance Professors Philip Flickinger and Lorelei Bayne, the concert features 10 pieces, six of them designed by students. The remaining four are choreographed by Bayne, Flickinger, alumnus Tung “Tony” Nguyen and guest choreographer Tiffany Braniff.

“Since Sac State has such a great dance program, and they’re showing off the students’ choreography skills, ‘Dance House’ is one way to see the future of Sacramento dance,” Braniff says.

Her piece is titled “When the Moon Fell,” with music by Sarah Brightman singing an aria from the opera La Wally. Braniff first developed the piece a few years ago when a loved one was diagnosed with AIDS and designed the piece for him. She now has restaged it with a solo dancer representing the moon. “It’s about falling, and recovery, the beauty of the moon, and how it sets at night,” says Braniff.

She describes the style as modern ballet. “It’s mostly modern, but it has a very classical feel to it,” Braniff says.

Sac State seniors Gem Abucay and Alyssa Wible will take turns each night performing “When the Moon Fell,” each dressed in white.

“This dance is a graceful piece,” Wible says. “It’s a challenge because it’s not just the movement; it’s the emotion you have to put into it as well.”

Abucay also notes the number’s personal nature. “Trying to find the story in the piece so you can let your emotions tell it to the audience – that was the biggest challenge for me,” she says.

Tickets for the 6:30 p.m. performances are $8 general admission and $5 for children. All other performances are $12 general admission, $10 for students and seniors, and $8 for children. Tickets are available at the University Ticket Office, (916) 278-4323.

For more information on the Theatre and Dance Department, visit www.csus.edu/dram or call (916) 278-6368. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.